Classics - BA, Language and Literature Track

The BA in Classics is designed to give students a thorough grounding in the culture, history, literature, and intellectual accomplishments of Ancient Greece and Rome from the Bronze Age to the dawn of the Middle Ages.

Studying the history and literature of these civilizations will not only help students to develop skills in close reading, writing, and critical thinking, but will also help them to see how fundamental concepts of Western Civilization such as rationalism and democracy first arose in Classical Antiquity.

The Literature and Language track has a traditional focus on Latin and Greek philology (students choose either Latin or Ancient Greek to specialize in, but are encouraged to take both) and is intended to enable students to read and enjoy the great texts of Classical Antiquity (Homer, Herodotus, Thucydides, Livy, Tacitus, the New Testament, etc.) in the original languages.

A major in Classics signals a commitment to serious intellectual enquiry and is an excellent basis for careers in law, business, consulting, public service, and teaching. Those intending to pursue careers in medicine or finance will also find that a major in Classics can be easily combined with undergraduate courses required for those fields.